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This is adapted from a paper by Dr. DuWayne Lee. I have changed some wording and added some, but it is in essence the same. I have chosen to employ several Bible versions, without cherry picking them, just for some variety and not to lean too heavily on any single version. What is the Perseverance of the Saints? - Part 1 This particular wording comes to us from the acronym T.U.L.I.P. The tulip is a set of 5 beliefs that distinguish reformed theology of the Puritans and other early protestants. The letters stand for: Total depravity Unconditional election Limited atonement Irresistible grace Perseverance of the saints. The doctrine of perseverance is debated among Christians, and unfortunately the immature and prideful ones make it a divisive subject. Some do so out of ignorance, not understanding what it is or whether or not is it Biblical. Sometimes it is just a matter of group think ("my pastor said", or "my denomination teaches") instead of careful and studied examination. Some people just come to conclusions based on their understanding (which may or may not be correct) of a verse of group of verses without being aware of other verses that also relate to the topic. So what is the doctrine specifically? According to Dr. Clarence Bass (Dr. Clarence Bass, professor emeritus at Bethel Theological Seminary): "That act of God by which, on the basis of the completed work of redemption through the meritorious work of Christ, He preserves the believer in continuing faith through the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit unto eternal life." To paraphrase Dr. Lorraine Boettner for the sake of brevity: Those whom God has chosen in Christ, He has effectively called and set apart, cannot totally or finally fall from His grace. The will persist to the end and be eternally saved. While a true Christian may fall into sin temporarily, they will eventually return and will be saved. Implications First, what it is not: It is NOT the idea that a person is eternally saved no matter what they may become in terms of character. 1 Cor 6: 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. ESV Gal 5 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. NASB EPH 5 3 But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. BSB It also does not mean that the Christian will be saved whether he/she persists in faith or not. Mark 13 13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. NKJ The doctrine also does not teach that one is saved by their faith, but then kept safe by their works. In other words the doctrine does not maintain that to be saved, one must earn or keep salvation by living a good life after one has been saved by faith. This is the end of Part One, which was a little history and definition of the doctrine, and clarification of what the doctrine does not teach. In the next installment, we will examine what the doctrine does teach.

This one is lengthy, almost 45 minutes, but I think it is worth your time. I found it fascinating and delightful, and should be encouraging and helpful to Christians. I was tempted to put it in the Bible Topics area, there is a not of Bible in it. However it is more of a testimony of the remarkable events of Corrie's life of how she came to be imprisoned in Nazi Germany for hiding Jews from persecution, and her experiences in concentration camps. Did you know fleas and lice, can be a blessing from God, and an ant can give you a sermon? There are lessons here, for any who might find themselves in persecution, (real persecution, not merely being ridiculed for your faith at the work place) to see how faith can see us through, should such events ever befall us.

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:1-2 We are all running the race of faith in our Christian life. The Lord wants you to know He is running this race with you. He is cheering you on and interceding for you every step of the way. This race is about faithfulness and perseverance. There will be times along our course of the race where we are tempted to focus on distractions and we stumble. Jesus is reminding us to focus on Him and the path set before us because He has gone before us and knows the path ahead. God has a race path or a DESTINY for each of us and our role is to be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit and follow the path the Lord has planned for us. "May He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen," - Hebrews 13:21. "Faithful is He who calls you, and He will bring it to pass," - 1 Thessalonians 5:24 CAST OFF THE WEIGHTS THAT HINDER RUNNING YOUR RACE It is important for us to cast off everything that hinders us, anything that slows us down or trips us in our race. We are to lay aside any unbelief and doubt but instead trust in God and His promises as He is faithful to bring to pass everything He has promised. We are to set our mind on things above and use our spiritual sight as we run our race because as we do this we will see the road ahead very differently. Our role is to be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to walk by faith and not by sight. LEAPING OVER YOUR OBSTACLES We are called to persevere even when there are obstacles in our race. In 1 Timothy 6:12 we read we are to, "Fight the good fight of the faith." We can rise above our struggles and know we are overcomers in Christ as He has already won the victory for us. The Lord is reminding us to praise and trust Him in all parts of our race. This will cause us to leap over obstacles that may come our way in our race. The steadfastness of the Old Testament "witnesses" in Hebrews chapter 11 speaks to us of the rewards of never giving up. Their unyielding faith points to Jesus and urges us to follow their example and run with perseverance the race marked out for us. "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus," - Philippians 3:14 Jesus is our example of how to run the race and we are to walk as He walked. "The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" - 1 John 2:6 The Lord is highlighting the need to lean on Him as our source of strength when we are weary in our race. "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary," - Isaiah 40:31 Be encouraged as you run your race of faith – the Lord is running with you and He knows the race course He has planned for you. Cast off anything that is hindering your race and run with joy, hope, and freedom. Praise Him and trust in Him as He is faithful to equip you with all you need for every part of the course. Draw close to the Lord and allow Him to renew you and give you strength in the hard times of the race. Run the race appointed to you (God's CALLING on your life) and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Stand firm and do not be moved! As believers, we are rooted and grounded in His magnificent love (see Eph. 3:17). Truly, the Lord will be strong on our behalf! This knowledge enables a courage deep within and causes us to be so anchored in His love that our hearts and minds are steadfast. Thus, we will reach a place of focus that comes from being led by the Lord. This creates in us perseverance through our faith as we hear and are led by Him. Holy perseverance is God-empowered boldness or courage that enables usdeep withinto persevere. One way we can define perseverance is simply to stay the course. This is a powerful blessing from the Lord that enables us to believe the impossible is possible. It is a work of the Holy Spirit within that enables us to have strength to stay the course, regardless of present circumstances or situations. This is what the prophet Isaiah wrote about: "Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice." - Isaiah 41:10 AMP ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Stand firm and do not be moved! As believers, we are rooted and grounded in His magnificent love. Because we are established in His love, we can have a peace that passes all natural understanding. And we have COURAGE, the depth of which is confidence in the Lord. "And that Christ will make His home in your hearts, through faith. I pray that you wil have your roots and foundations in love so that.....you will have the power to understand how broad and long and deep is Christ's love. " - Ephesians 3:17 This place of trust is beyond the natural ability of a person. It comes only through a relationship with the Lord, who will lead us and bring to pass all He has purposed for us (our CALLING in Christ). As we are directed by Him, we can also be assured that He is making every path straight. As believers, we declare that we, "Trust in the LORD with all [our] heart, and lean not on [our] own understanding; in all [our] ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct [our] paths." - Proverbs 3:56 GOD-EMPOWERED BOLDNESS This creates in us PERSEVERANCE THROUGH OUR FAITH as we hear and are led by Him. Holy perseverance is God-empowered boldness or courage that enables us deep within to persevere. One way we can define perseverance is simply to stay the course. This is a powerful blessing from the Lord that enables us to believe the impossible is possible. It is a work of the Holy Spirit within that enables us to have strength to stay the course, regardless of present circumstances or situations. This is what the prophet Isaiah wrote about: "Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice." - Isaiah 41:10 AMP HERE IS THE INCREDIBLE PROMISE: You can stay the course because of the enabling of the strength of the Lord for you and in you! Believe that the Holy Spirit will release an even greater strengthening deep within so that you will stand firm for the promises of the Lord for your life and your family. As you lean into the Lord, you will go from strength to strength with deep courage to believe for the impossible to be possible. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY